Six MFA Scholarships

Six scholarships for the MFA in Film Scoring for Motion Pictures and Contemporary Media are awarded annually by the Society of Composers & Lyricists, the European Recording Orchestra (ERO), and industry leaders like Oscar winner Mychael Danna and orchestrator Conrad Pope.

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The Society of Composers & Lyricists Scholarship

€17,500​

The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) is a professional organisation that represents composers, lyricists, and songwriters who create music for film, television, video games, and other media. The SCL provides a community and support network for its members, offering opportunities for networking, education, advocacy, and recognition. It aims to promote the interests of music creators and advance their rights, as well as to enhance the role of music in media. Each year, in coordination with the FSAE Admissions Board, the SCL selects one outstanding MFA applicant to be named the SCL Scholarship Recipient.

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ERO Work-Study Scholarships

(2x) €5,000​

Two ERO Work-Study scholarships will be awarded in exchange for score and parts preparation for ERO recording sessions

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Conrad Pope Scholarship

€5,000​

One Conrad Pope Scholarship Recipient will be chosen by the Admissions Board and Conrad Pope himself

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Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Memorial Scholarship

€5,000​

One Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship Recipient will be chosen by the Admissions Board and the family of Jan A. P. Kaczmarek

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Mychael Danna Scholarship

€5,000​

One Mychael Danna Scholarship Recipient will be chosen by the Admissions Board and Mychael Danna himself

Scholarships range in value from €5,000 to €18,475 and are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential.

No additional application material is required to apply for a scholarship, as the Admissions Board will use your MFA application to assess your suitability for a scholarship. However, we recommend that you submit as broad a portfolio as possible as part of your MFA application, demonstrating as much variety and creativity as possible to enhance your chances of being selected as a scholarship recipient.

Meet some of the composers who have been awarded scholarships in the past:

 

2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients 

 

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients 

 

2021-2022 Scholarship Recipients 

 

2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients 

  • Mostafa Sarbazi Azad - Iran - SCL Scholarship-2-1
    Mostafa Sarbazi Azad - Iran - SCL Scholarship
  • Joost Diederen - Netherlands - Mychael Danna Scholarship-2
    Joost Diederen - Netherlands - Mychael Danna Scholarship 
  • Isak Lundberg - Sweden - Conrad Pope Scholarship-1

    Isak Lundberg - Sweden - Conrad Pope Scholarship

  • Stefano DAmico - Italy - Jan A-P- Kaczmarek Scholarship
    Stefano DAmico - Italy - Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
  • Luc Herrmann - Canada - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
    Luc Herrmann - Canada - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
  • Pablo Narvaez - Colombia - ERO Work-Study Scholarship-1
    Pablo Narvaez - Colombia - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
  • Alessandro Speciale - Italy - Christopher Young Scholarship-1-1
    Alessandro Speciale - Italy - Christopher Young Scholarship
  • Elizaveta Zharikova - Russia - SCL Scholarship-1
    Elizaveta Zharikova - Russia - SCL Scholarship
  • Karina Rivero - Mexico - Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
    Karina Rivero - Mexico - Jan A- P- Kaczmarek Scholarship
  • Lisa Braathen - Norway - Mychael Danna Scholarship-1
    Lisa Braathen - Norway - Mychael Danna Scholarship
  • Sean van Doornum - Australia - Conrad Pope Scholarship
    Sean van Doornum - Australia - Conrad Pope Scholarship
  • Erin Potgieter - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
    Erin Potgieter - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
  • Marco Salamida SCL Scholarship
    Marco Salamida SCL Scholarship
  • Jon Dudagoitia - Spain - Andy Hill Scholarship
      Jon Dudagoitia - Spain - Andy Hill Scholarship
  • Mauro Caspanello - Conrad Pope Scholarship
    Mauro Caspanello - Conrad Pope Scholarship
  • Maya Harrigan - Bulgaria - Andy Hill Scholarship-1
    Maya Harrigan - Bulgaria - Andy Hill Scholarship
  • Trimor Dhomi - Kosovo - Jan A- P- Kaczmarek Scholarship-1
    Trimor Dhomi - Kosovo - Jan A- P- Kaczmarek Scholarship
  • Tania Vanegas - Sweden - Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship
    Tania Vanegas - Sweden - Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship

2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients 

  • Nicole Lee

    I-Chieh Nicole Lee (Taiwan)

    The SCL Scholarship

  • Michael So
    Michael So (China)
    Mychael Danna Scholarship
  • Simon Lundsgaard

    Simon Lundsgaard (Denmark)

    Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Memorial Scholarship 

  • Zihany Fonseca

    Zihany Fonseca (Costa Rica)

    ERO Work-Study Scholarship

  • Eyleen Waberi

    Eyleen Waberi (France)

    ERO Work-Study Scholarship

2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients 

  • Mossy
    Mostafa Sarbazi Azad (Iran)
    SCL Scholarship
  • Joost

    Joost Diederen (The Netherlands)

    Mychael Danna Scholarship 

  • Isak

    Isak Lundberg (Sweden)

    Conrad Pope Scholarship

  • stefano

    Stefano D'Amico (Italy)

    Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Scholarship

  • luc

    Luc Herrmann (Canada)

    ERO Work-Study Scholarship

  • Leo

    Leo Puentes (Colombia)

    ERO Work-Study Scholarship

  • parker phinney

    Parker Phinney (USA)

    Andy Hill Scholarship

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients 

  • pablo

    Pablo Narváez (Colombia)

    ERO Work-Study Scholarship

  • Alessandro Speciale - Italy - Christopher Young Scholarship-1-1

    Alessandro Speciale (Italy)

    Christopher Young Scholarship

  • liza

    Elizaveta Zharikova (Russia)

    SCL Scholarship

  • karina

    Karina Rivero (Mexico)

    Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship

  • lisa

    Lisa Braathen (Norway)

    Mychael Danna Scholarship

2021-2022 Scholarship Recipients 

  • marco 2

    Marco Salamida (Italy)

    SCL Scholarship

  • erin 2

    Erin Potgieter (South Africa)

    ERO Work-Study Scholarship

  • jon 2

    Jon Dudagoitia (Spain)

    Andy Hill Scholarship

  • mauro 2

    Mauro Caspanello (Italy)

    Conrad Pope Scholarship

  • sean van doornum

    Sean van Doornum (Australia)

    Conrad Pope Scholarship

2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients 

  • maya 2

    Maya Harrigan (Bulgaria)

    Andy Hill Scholarship

  • Trimor Dhomi (Kosovo) Jan A- P- Kaczmarek Scholarship-1

    Trimor Dhomi  (Kosovo)

    Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship

  • tania 2

    Tania Vanegas (Sweden)

    Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship

  • maria zaharenia

    Maria Zaharenia (Greece)

    Conrad Pope Scholarship

2019-2020 Scholarship Recipients 

  • rosetta bachofner

    Rosetta Bachofner (Switzerland)

    Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship

  • eiji john mitsuta-1

    Eiji John Mitsuta (Japan)

    Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship

  • henrik lindstrom

    Henrik Lindström (Sweden)

    Mychael Danna Scholarship

  • jonas christensen

    Jonas Christensen (Sweden)

    Oticons Faculty Scholarship

  • fabrizio riso

    Fabrizio Riso (Italy)

    Conrad Pope Scholarship

  • jianguo wan

    Jianguo Wan (China)

    Andy Hill Scholarship

Have questions about this programme?

Speak with our Admissions Department. Submit our enquiry form to receive personalised answers to your questions.

Additional Information: Master of Fine Arts

Tuition and Fees

2025-2026 MFA Program Tuition: €36,950

Tuition Schedule

Program Deposit: €2,000 (Due Immediately to Enroll)
Tuition Downpayment: €5,000 (Due June 1, 2025)
Payment 1: €11,950 (Due September 1, 2025)
Payment 2: €9,000 (Due December 1, 2025)
Payment 3: €9,000 (Due March 1, 2026)

The MFA program at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe is the most affordable full-time Masters program in film & game scoring available today, while simultaneously offering more recording sessions than any other program in the world, thanks to our partnership with the European Recording Orchestra (ERO).

Be sure to check out the "Costs of Living in Sofia" dropdown to see how much more affordable Sofia is compared to other major European and American cities.

 

Financial Aid

Students from the United States can take advantage of the FAFSA Federal Student Aid program. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

More Financial Aid Programmes:

All students searching for scholarships should search this website: https://www.wemakescholars.com
Norway: Lanekassen - https://www.lanekassen.no/
Colombia: Colfuturo - https://www.colfuturo.org/
South Africa: National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF) - https://www.nfvf.co.za/home/
South Africa: Oppenheimer Trust - https://www.omt.org.za/

 

2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Two semesters of course work with a third semester dedicated to the Major Project.

2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Semester 1 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Sept. 15, 2025 - Semester 1 commences
Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 19 - Final day of classes
Dec. 22 - Winter break

Semester 2 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Jan. 12, 2026 - Semester 2 commences
May 29 - Final day of classes
May 31 - Semester 2 ends

Semester 3 - Presence in Sofia Optional
June 1, 2026 - Semester 3 commences
Aug. 31 - Semester 3 ends

 

Costs of living in Sofia

Costs of living in Sofia are extremely low in comparison to other major European and American cities. Exponentially cheaper than LA, NYC, London, Valencia, or Boston, while maintaining a comfortable standard of living.

Sofia, Bulgaria compared to other cities that are home to Film Scoring Masters degrees:
73% lower than New York City
65% lower than London
64% lower than Los Angeles
66% lower than Boston
30% lower than Valencia

For more information on comparing prices between cities, visit www.numbeo.com

The Film Scoring Academy of Europe has real estate agents in Sofia that work to help MFA students find accommodation that fits their needs and budget.

MFA Students who wish to live together will be able to find shared accommodation for as low as €150 - €200 per month.

MFA Students who wish to live alone will be able to find accommodation for as low as €350 - €400 per month.

 

Technology Requirements

Technology Requirements:

  • Avid Pro Tools 12
  • DAW (Logic Pro X, Cubase, Digital Performer, etc.)
  • NI Kontakt Full
  • Serum by Xfer Records
  • High Quality Reference Headphones
  • Industry Standard Orchestral Sample Libraries

Technology Recommendations:

  • Apple Macbook Pro (minimum quad-core, 16GB ram, internal SSD)
  • Cinematic Studio Series samples (CS Strings, CS Brass, CS Woodwinds)
  • NotePerformer Playback Engine
  • Spectrasonics Omnisphere
  • Fabfilter Mixing Suite
  • Minimum 1TB External SSD for Sound Libraries
  • MIDI Keyboard with mod wheel (for home use)

All students will receive a copy of Steinberg's notation and scoring software, Dorico Pro. Students will also have access to a hardware station in the Film Scoring Academy of Europe headquarters that is equipped with a Nektar 61-key MIDI keyboard (with sustain pedal), a 24" curved external display, a Scarlett Solo Audio Interface, ethernet and power connectivity and a powered USB hub.

 

Visa Requirements

Accepted students from the EU do not need a Visa. They will simply need to establish residency upon arrival in Sofia, which our team will assist with.

Accepted students from outside the EU will require a Type-D Student Visa. Assistance on this process will be provided by our Visa Officer after a student officially enrols. It is advisable that accepted students from outside the EU begin preparing the Student Visa requirements listed on the Bulgarian Embassy website in their country as soon as possible, as this process can take a substantial amount of time.